ERMA –– On May 23 just prior to the start of the Memorial Day weekend the Lower Township Police Department began motorcycle patrols of the township.
Officers Darrin Hickok and Ken McGurk have been assigned to the new motorcycle patrol unit by Lower Township Police Chief Edward Donohue.
Both Officers have years of experience operating motorcycles and just recently under went training with Corporal James Dougherty of the Middle Township Police Department’s Motorcycle Unit.
The Officers will be operating a 2006 BMW police package motorcycle. The motorcycle was purchased through the 2007 capital improvement budget and was purchased at a lower price than a new model, as the motorcycle had been a demo unit that was displayed at police conferences.
Chief Donohue said the BMW motorcycle was chosen for its ability to go off road to monitor ATV’s and dirt bikes if necessary and for safety features such as an adjustable windshield to fit the driver, and an advanced ABS braking system.
Motorcycle officers will monitor traffic throughout the township where complaints of excessive speed are occurring, especially during the busy summer months including the Diamond Beach, Shaw Crest, and Schellingers Landing areas of the township.
The motorcycle will also be utilized for special events such as the:
• Haunted Hayride Event
• December Christmas Parade
• Coombs I Douglass 5 Mile Run
• Ocean Drive Marathon
• July 4th Fireworks & Carnival
Motorcycle Officers will also be utilized to patrol areas of the Township that have historically been difficult for our patrol officer to gain full access to including:
• Our numerous Campgrounds located throughout the township
• Our numerous Marinas located throughout the township
• Higbee’s Beach wildlife management area
• Historic Cold Spring Village
• Freeman Douglass recreation area
• Township MUA property where we have received numerous complaints of off road vehicles
• And the new Villas Wildlife management area
In addition Chief Donohue noted that the cost savings with the motorcycle will be considerable as it will save wear and tear and regular routine maintenance on patrol vehicles and the cost savings in fuel alone will be significant. Currently the Lower Township Police Department has one Motorcycle.
Chief Donohue stated he would like to expand the unit stating “The Motorcycle is a great tool for Law Enforcement. Its versatile, it goes almost anywhere, it gets great gas mileage, and it can weave in and out of traffic to respond to accidents and emergencies situations in heavily congested areas.
The following Police Departments in our area also utilize motorcycles:
• Middle Township Police Department
• Wildwood Police Department
• North Wildwood Police Department
• Sea Isle City Police Department
• Egg Harbor Township Police Department
• Atlantic City Police Department
• New Jersey State Police
Town Bank – Waste from a Nuclear Power Plant of the future can be managed successfully but the Greenies will not let go of their climate change predictions which have never materialized
